Exonian Review: Flamingos
By LILY RAMPE and ALLEGRA LAI
On the opposite side of Exeter’s downtown area, a pink adorned little building with a welcoming pride flag at the door, is Flamingo’s cafe. The cafe opened in the spring of 2023, and it has gained its fair amount of patrons and regulars, but within the Phillips Exeter community, it hasn’t garnered as much popularity as its competitors Dsquared or Me and Ollie’s.
The cafe is well-furnished with a pink and homey ambiance, featuring, appropriately, wallpaper of flamingos on the walls. There are booths for group setting, a corner with lounging chairs for deep conversations, and if you’re flying solo with the flock, a high top table with outlets.
The cafe ultimately owes its warm environment to the workers who run the store. Wearing ballet pink “Disgustingly Pro-Women” shirts, they greet you with a smile, and, if you go enough, will quickly learn your name and usual order. The cafe also aims to promote inclusivity, in its foundation of being women led and run, as well as taking pride in sourcing their food from local vendors. Furthermore, the cafe also aims to foster sustainability, in their compostable utensils and their compost bins.
The menu is displayed on a chalkboard filled with colorful drawings and creative titles for each drink. The cafe cycles through special lattes depending on the season and sells a flight of four of their best sellers for that season. A favorite and constant, however, is the Taylor Swift inspired menu. From Burnin’ Red to Gold Rush, these drinks reflect the Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, and Lana Del Ray music playing in the background. Especially in the event of an album release by an artist or a movie premiere, these fun happenings often earn their own flights that are tested and enjoyed by the patrons each month.
In addition to the wide variety of drinks, the food from the cafe is impossible to pass up on. Fresh donuts and cinnamon rolls are available from Friday-Sunday and gluten free pastry options are there every day. If you feel like more of a meal, try a fresh, toasted bagel covered in a smooth and creamy coat of cream cheese. In addition, the cafe offers a long list of sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.
Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. everyday, it is definitely worth stopping by Flamingo’s cafe for coffee or a bite of food. Whether you’re celebrating your month with a perfectly-crafted themed coffee flight or simply stopping by for an everything bagel with cream cheese, Flamingo’s cafe is the perfect spot to be. After all, it is best to “support your local caffeine dealer.”